Sunshine Coast ratepayers will receive their rate notices in the mail over the coming week, with a due date for payment of Friday 22 August. The Sunshine Coast Council encourages ratepayers to make their payment by the due date to take advantage of the discount.

Prior to amalgamation Maroochy, Caloundra and Noosa councils had different methods of calculating the early payment discount.

For the 2008/2009 financial year, council has standardised the method of calculating the discount across the Sunshine Coast. The discount is now 10% of general rates and waste management charges, to a maximum of $200 per annum, or $100 for each half-yearly rate notice.

In the case of approved pensioners, the half-yearly discount is 10% of general rates and waste management charges, with no maximum.

Council continues to make it as convenient as possible for residents to pay their rates through a number of different payment methods.

Pay online with Post Billpay – choosing to pay online via council’s website means you can make your payment securely at anytime of the day or night in the comfort of your own home or office.

Residents can also choose to pay via BPay with participating financial institutions.

Those who do not have access to the Internet still have the convenience of paying by credit card over the phone. Phone 131 816 from anywhere in Australia and follow the prompts.

Customers can pay in person at any branch of Australia Post – payments must be for the full amount – by cash, cheque or from your nominated account.

Customers can also pay in person at one of council’s customer service centres, between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday.

Customers can also mail their cheque or money order to their local Sunshine Coast Council office.

Customers can make payments from overseas by credit card over the phone. Phone+612 9245 0821 and follow the prompts.

For all online or over-the-phone payments, your customer reference number is located on your rate notice.

For those ratepayers who cannot make payment by the due date, just give council a call to enter into an arrangement to pay by instalments. As long as you meet the conditions of the arrangement, council will not charge any interest on this current half-year’s rates.